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Two seniors receive Faculty Honors

Two graduating seniors at Northwestern College received Faculty Honors during the college’s commencement exercises on May 8. John Calsbeek of Orange City and Rachelle Pedersen of Nora Springs, Iowa, were recognized.

The Faculty Honors award is bestowed upon graduates who excel in academic achievement, Christian influence, general attitude and participation in worthwhile campus activities. The highest honor the faculty gives to graduating seniors, it is determined by a vote of the entire faculty.

Calsbeek, a computer science major, graduated Magna Cum Laude. An Honors Program graduate and recipient of the computer science department’s Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, Calsbeek was on Northwestern computer programming teams that competed in the world finals of the 2010 and 2009 Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest. His other campus involvements included serving as an academic tutor, singing in the A cappella Choir and Heritage Singers, and conducting research as a Junior Scholar with computer science professor Mark Vellinga.

Pedersen, a biology health professions major, graduated Summa Cum Laude. The recipient of the biology department’s Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, Pedersen conducted research at the University of Iowa last summer. She was a member of Northwestern’s Sigma Tau senior honor society and an Honors Program graduate. Pedersen earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors in golf and also was active on campus as a tutor, student ambassador and member of the orientation staff. She will pursue a medical degree at the University of Iowa next fall.